RC Sailing

RC stands for radio controlled. This is my newest hobby. I've always loved boats, especially sail boats. In fact, I have taken 2 sailing lessons! However, given my current schedule, it will be quite difficult for me to sail "the real thing" So I went for the RC version. Although the size is very different, the principles are the same. (I was also inspired by the character who owns a lot of RC toys from one of the cartoons my daughter watches. You know which one, right?)

After sailing for a few times, I'd like to share some of my thoughts:
1) This is a kinda messy hobby. It is not normally the type of things I like to play with. (You might say playing with computer is messy though but that's another story) For example, I don't like getting my hands wet. There were very few exceptions, and this has become one of them. Actually, my feet got wet when launching and retrieving the boat too. And of course, the boat needs to be cleaned after I sail every time.
2) This is a kinda niche hobby. Fortunately, there are several clubs in my area:
- North Bay R/C Sailing Association: sails at Marin County Civic Center Lagoon in San Rafael
- Shoreline Model Yacht Club: sails at Shoreline Park in Mountain View
- South Bay Model Yacht Club: sails at Lake Cunningham in San Jose. Also Sandy Wool Lake at Ed Levin County Park in Milpitas.
Other than these lakes, it is not allowed in most others, especially those in the East Bay Regional Park system (only one near Quarry Lake in Fremont allows model yacht and it seems to be for power boats rather than sail boats) Also, looks like the One Metre class is the most popular in this area. The folks at Shoreline sail CR914 but they are kind enough to allow me sailing my Nirvana II with them. I hope Nirvana catches on in my area soon. (If you sail one, please comment!)
3) I think a typical beginner like me go through these stages:
Stage 1: Happy as long as it comes back in one piece.
Stage 2: Happy as long as I could control it to sail in whichever direction I want.
Stage 3: Happy as long as it is moving at the best possible speed allowed by the wind condition.
My biggest fear so far is not being able to get my boat back. Touch wood it hasn't happened yet. I think it helps when:
- I sailed in a relatively small area
- I turned the rudder so that the boat sail in roughly the direction of where I was
- I used fresh battery and kept track of the time.
- I practiced using this simulator.

Here are some videos I took. (Just like my Go Motorboard 2000X, I bought my Nirvana II sight unseen. I hope my videos would help potential buyers)

Maiden Sail


In control (sort of)

Review: Nintendo Wii Part 3 (Madden 07)

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but this is the first game I ran out and buy after getting a Wii. Game critics pointed out that Wii's version is not much different from those on other consoles except that it is taking advantage of Wii's motion sensing controller for passing, tackling and certain running moves. For a football fanatic who has never been good at playing games using traditional controller, i.e. yours truly, the last aspect became the biggest selling point. Football video games have always been complicated because of its nature: there are so many players on the field, so many formation to choose, and then so many different moves you could make. I have played football games from several different eras, from DOS and keyboard based to PlayStation's (not old enough to play character mode on PDP8 though) I felt that game makers put in great effort to make them easier and easier for casual gamers. And Madden 07 on Wii is the most fun so far.

Madden 07 made it easier not only to control the players but also to pick a play to run. Under "Easy Mode", plays are grouped into run, pass and deep pass, with only a few key plays in each group. Intermediate players could choose plays "by type" under normal mode, with more groups (e.g Play Action or Screen) and more plays. Finally, advanced players could choose plays the traditional way, "by formation" (e.g. I-formation, single back, shot gun...)

In addition to playing single "standalone" games, I've also played the "franchise mode" (draft my own franchise and play multiple seasons. My Cowboy team has drafted Vince Young, Cedric Benson and Roy Williams, unintentionally!) and "Hall of fame mode" (created my own player, a QB that has been drafted by the Texans and started in place of David Carr!) Looks like I'll still be playing this game in 08!

My first Giants game of the 2007 season

The game sucked (lost to LA 4-10) but the seat was awesome (real close to Barry!)

Barry! Barry!
The Other Barry

Review: Nintendo Wii Part 2 (Wii Play)

Wii Play could be the second most owned game on Wii (I don't have the official stat) since it is bundled with a Wiimote. (The Wii console included 1 Wiimote. Most Wii owner would need at least one more to play with friend.) Wii Play is a collection of minigames, including table tennis, air hockey, pool, fishing and a few more non-sport games. I call them minigames because they are more like demo that showcase the potential of how future games will utilize Wii's unique motion sensing controller. To me these games feel even less complete and more barebone than those in Wii Sport. The replay values are not as high, especially in single player mode. However, it will serve as very decent party game.

[Update: I googled and confirmed Wii Play is indeed the 2nd most popular Wii game behind Wii Sports. And I found a pretty positive review here]